Combination foldable box and table.



E. P. WALKER- COMBINATION FOLDABLE BOX AND TABLE.

APPLICATION FIVLED APR. 21. 1917.

1,253,91 3., Patented Jan-15, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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E. P. WALKER.

COMBINATION FOLDABLE BOX AND TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22. 1917.

1. ,253,,9 l 3 Patented Jan. 15, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

tinirnn 1ATE Parana orrion EDWIN IP. WALKER, OF IIIONROE, WASHINGTON.

COMBINATION FOLDABLE BOX AND TABLE.

Application filed April 2?, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN P. WALKER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Monroe, in the county of Snohomish and State ofl/Vashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCombination Foldable Boxes and Tables, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to knock-down folding. boxes and pertainsespecially to a box so constructed as to be folded into an inclosingbox, and to be unfolded for forming a table top and seats for a table.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a foldable lunch ordinner box, especially for automobilists, which shall have its top,bottom and sides connected together so that the same elements constitutea serving board when unfolded in flat position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a box embodying sides,top and bottom hinged together, and removable box ends constitutingjoining members for said sides and bottom in folded position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a combinationbox and table, specially constructed end members having slidingengagement with the top and side members so that upon removal of the endmembers the other members are free to be unfolded in connected flatposition.

The invention further embodies means for applying suitable legs andbraces to certain of said members for supporting the latter in tableposition, and the invention still further embodies the application oflegs to the end members for utilization as seats or stands.

Various other objects, advantages and improved results are attainable inthe practical use or application of the invention, both as a receptacleand table for camping, as well as for automobile tourists.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this application Figure lis a perspective view of the device folded in box position, showing abox end as being slid into position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a complete box with the lid closed.

Fig. 3 is a cross section as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a table and seat formed by the severalbox members.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the dotted line .A-A Fig. 4.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 15, 1918.

Serial No. 164,971.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one otthe end members.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the box folded for containing theremaining elements.

Fig. 8 is an inverted detail perspective view of one of the table bracespartly broken away.

The same reference characters denote the same parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Tn carrying out my invention 1 may employ wooden boards or othermaterial in combination with metal binding flanges and braces, but allthe parts may be made of suitable metal, or other material of suchcharacter as will answer the purpose of producing a light weight,compact article capable of storing under an automobile or other seat,and yet of such rigidity and strength as will permit of its use as atable and seats.

The box sides 1 and 2, the bottom 3, and the top or lid at are allhinged together as at 5 and 6. The hinges 6 connect a strip 7 with thesides 1, and will be hereinafter particularly referred to. The sides,the strip, and the lid are grooved at 8, adjacent to the ends thereoffor slidable box ends 9. Both of said ends being of the sameconstruction only one of them will be described in detail. The sideedges have a projecting flange forming a tongue 10 fitting the grooves8, and said edges are provided with an angle flange 11 overlapping saidedges and forming a binder for the box sides, as well as a groove orchannel 10 for the sides and the lid when the ends are slid into and outof box position.

The purpose and function of the strip 7 is to form the back of acase-like receptacle for retaining the box ends and other attachmentsfor packing, storing or shipping as clearly shown in Fig. 7 of thedrawings. The lid member is provided with a double hinge fastening as12, and the side member 2 is provided with a staple 18, for saidfastoning 12. Obviously the strip may be omitted and this side hingeddirectly to the bottom.

It will be understood that the lid, the side member 1, and the strip 7are placed in alinement at right angles to the bottom member, and theside 2 is also held at right angle to the bottom member for adding theend members, and the end members are slid endwise, first upon the lidmember, and then upon the side members and over the strip member intoengagement with the bottom member, so as to leave the top of the endmembers flush with the side members, and

the lid free to be swung for opening and closing the box.

Obvlously when the end members are slid out of position, the other boxmembers are free to be opened into flat position. The box lid member hasremovable hinge pintles 14, which are removed so as to disconnect thelid so that the latter may be used as a seat. The inner face of the lidis provided with screw sockets 15, for suitable legs 16. The inner faceof each'of the box ends is provided centrally with a screw socket 17 fora suitable leg 18, so that the ends may be used as a seat or stool. Theouter faces of the end members have hand-grasping means as at Theinnerfaces of the box side members have like sockets 19, for suitable legs20, and

wish to be understood as confining the invention to any particular sizeor material in the manufacture and practical application of the same,but reserve the right to make such changes and variations therein as maycome within the scope of the ap pended claim.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is In a combination foldable knock-down box,table and packing case, a box bottom, a box side hinged to the bottom, abox side, a box lid hinged to this side, a hinged strip connecting thebottom with this side, boxend members having slidable engagement withthe lid, the sides and the strip, the latter, the sides, the bottom andthe lid adapted to be unfolded and again folded into a packing case forretaining said ends,

said sides, said strip and bottom adapted to be unfoldedin flat positionfor forming a table top, and said ends and lid having leg sockets forforming seats, substantially as set forth. 7

In testimonywhereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWVIN P. WALKER.

Witnesses:

VVHIT H. CLARK, FRED WV. THEDINGA.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe fi'immissioner of Patents,-

' Washington, D. C.

